Authorities in Germany have today (Friday, January 10), confirmed the first outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the country since 1988.
The outbreak was confirmed in water buffalo in the state of Brandenburg, which is situated in the north-east of Germany.
The outbreak occurred in the district of Märkisch-Oderland, which borders Poland and stretches to the outskirts of the capital Berlin.
The country’s department of agriculture said measures to destroy the affected animals and set up exclusion zones were put in place immediately.
Epidemiological investigations to clarify the origin of the disease and to identify possible contact farms are currently being carried out with the support of the Friedrich Loeffler Institute, (FLI) the leading animal disease research centre in Germany.
In Germany, the federal states are responsible for combating animal diseases. The authorities responsible under state law carry out the measures to control animal diseases, with the FLI supports the epidemiological investigations.
In the event of an outbreak of FMD, exclusion zones are set up around the affected farms. A general ban on the movement of susceptible animals and their products applies to these farms.
The possibility of moving susceptible animals and their products still exists on the basis of officially approved exceptions.
FMD is a highly contagious, sometimes fatal, viral disease of cattle and some other animals. It is widespread worldwide, but has not been present in the EU for several years.
The virus is easily transmitted by both animate and inanimate vectors, particularly animals in the incubation period, or clinically affected animals and their products, but it can also spread over long distances by air.
FMD is not dangerous for humans. Under usual hygienic conditions, pasteurized milk or milk products pose no danger to consumers.
Foot-and-mouth disease is a listed disease of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). The disease has the potential to spread very rapidly, regardless of national borders.
It can have serious animal health and socio-economic impacts and cause severe economic losses as a result of restrictions on international trade in animals and animal products, the German agriculture ministry said.
On foot of this case, an Irish farm organisation has urged vigilance.
The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA) said: “We must hope that the outbreak will be swiftly contained, and the German authorities have already taken appropriate measures to contain the outbreak within the immediate impacted area.”
ICMSA president Denis Drennan commented: “From an Irish perspective, it is important that the appropriate precautionary measures are taken at border entry points to minimise any risks.”
Drennan urged people traveling to the greater Berlin area from Ireland to follow the advice of experts in relation to importing food items.
“Obviously, as an island we should not be impacted by this outbreak, but that can’t allow us to be in any way complacent or reluctant to follow the advice of the experts,” the ICMSA president said.